Scott Ian Barry's book on Lyndhurst and other Castles of New York will be available in August.

Preview:  http://scottianbarry.com/Castles/Castles.html

FRIDAY

The Shadow Zone

I wouldn't have missed the sole Collinsport Players skit of the weekend (the reprise of "Golden Shadows" was canceled due to employment obligations, sigh).  It was a DS/Twilight Zone crossover penned by our ProfStokes, who made a superb Vicki Winters struggling to think happy thoughts.  I'd heard they were doing it without microphones so I was thrilled to learn that ProfStokes can really project!  Enjoyed the sprinkling of Lost In Space references too.

It also starred Kyle Baric as David-channeling-Billy-Mumy, Jonathan Harrison as Roger, our VictoriaWinters-- can I say that I LOVED her Carolyn?!, and Jeff Black with another astonishing Rod Serling impersonation.

The Fest videographer posted it in two parts:  Part 1 and Part 2

Kathryn Leigh Scott and Marie Wallace

KLS and Marie were asked to speak about their latest projects.  Marie talked briefly about her theater groups and KLS began talking and talking... a few highlights were that her "The Star and the Stalker" will be a feature documentary, her DS Companion has been remastered as a 3-CD package, her husband Jeff will take part in a UCLA study program for his movement disorder (God bless him, though I found myself wishing I was in the bar with him).  We saw a clip of Maggie and Joe at the Blue Whale while he was under the powers of a certain blonde, and KLS shared that she did some of her best work while on that particular set, and she said Joel Crothers was like an older brother to her.  We also learned that HAA was a close friend of her husband's in college, and that his nickname was "Bud"!!  Next, we saw a clip of Megan biting Sky Rumson, and she commented that it was fun to work with Don Briscoe as well as Joel.  A fan set her straight about the actor in the clip, and she responded, "Who is Geoff Scott?!"  lol  Then came the KLS story about the fake fingernails, yawn, followed by Marie saying she wished she still had her fangs, and she offered an amusing word of advice:  "Don't use permanent glue."  Then, a clip with Josette and the apparition of herself in those fangs, and KLS said that the Widows Hill set was 3 sq. ft. ("so easy to fall off the thing").  During the course of any Fest, a fan will invariably ask during a Q&A about the specifics of a scene, so we got that out of the way early with a fan asking about ep 250, prompting KLS to ask if he was sure it wasn't 251.  (It became painfully obvious that the fan didn't get the joke.)  Anyway, she explained that she didn't have a TV during most of her run on the show, so what she watched was the completed eps that aired in the studio while she was there.

A fan asked about the inspiration for Crazy Jenny.  Marie:  "My life."  The next clip was Peter and Eve.  Question:  Did any of you have a crush on Frid?  Answer:  Absolutely.  KLS:  He was "such a huggy bunny."  Marie mentioned living with him at the Governor's mansion while performing in "Lion in Winter."  The usual question from KLS about how many have never been to a Fest before prompted about 50% of the audience to raise hands.  She told us that they originally intended to use a dummy instead of doing her Josette scene with the SFX and makeup and fan.  She also went into her Joan Bennett story on the set of HoDS, but ended it a bit differently ("Aren't you Joan Bennett?"  "I was.").

Marie said she'd never played a crazy person before, but she said she didn't play it crazy and it just came out that way. Clip:  Rachel attacked in the tower room by Jenny, and KLS commented that she thought they hadn't shared a scene, which begged the question did a standin play Jenny?  (We didn't see her face.)  Fan Michael Culhane did a few darn good Nicholas impressions into the mike ("Do not go near Julia Hoffman again," "Eve, do my bidding," "You must convince Adam you love him," etc.) and asked if he can call HAA "Bud" now.  KLS said that HAA took on the role of acting coach and gave out tips.  She added that being around the wonderful actors on DS made you "just rise to the game."

Kathy Cody and Jerry Lacy

I described Kathy's talk already in another thread, but I'll add that she said she was upset she had to miss the 2005 Fest because of gall bladder surgery.  Also, we saw clips with Grayson as they discussed the secret of Melanie's mother.  And Jerry Lacy said he just recently finished something called "Super Shark"; gosh, I hope I heard that wrong.  I think the first JL clip was Reverend Trask's dream sent by Barnabas to get him to the Old House to meet his fate.  Both actors mentioned knowing Clarice Blackburn before DS.  Jerry said he didn't remember specifics from his scenes, and for help he occasionally turned to Charles Ellis in the audience.  Then a clip of the possessed children attempting to summon a ghost that turned out to be Kate Jackson (who started on DS at the same time Kathy did).  Next, a clip with Jerry opposite faux Carolyn.  Jerry said he hadn't seen Robert Rodan (who was not at the Fest this year) in a while, but after seeing Adam smack him in that scene, added, "I owe him one."  About Rev. Trask, Jerry said, "He was only doing what he thought was right."  Next, a clip of Gregory locked in the West Wing who is told to look in the desk.  Jerry:  "Written out once again."

And that's all I can tell you about Friday's events in the auditorium because I left at the end of their talk.  But by this point, I was already suspecting that the turnout was small.  The ballroom felt crowded, but that may be because the chairs were arranged so that it was difficult passing other fans in the outside aisles.  I heard that 1000 tickets were sold in advance, but how does that explain that I didn't register until the final day for mail-in registrations and received a receipt numbered 413?  I also heard that there were 2000 fans including the walk-ins, but I'm guessing that it was more like the low 1000s and that's my final answer.

May as well start a topic for it now.

For fans getting their tickets for the HoDS screening directly from the theater's box office, there were a lot left as of opening time (4 p.m.) yesterday.  But I'm assuming they will sell out, so it may not be wise to wait til the last minute if you want to see the movie.  Just my 2 cents.

Gallery: 10 Vampires More Dateable Than Edward Cullen (Find Which One Is Right For You!)

This past weekend, NY Times Op-Ed Columnist Maureen Dowd called for letting your [fanged] freak flag fly on Independence Day.  From My Deathless Passion:

"It wasn’t until I was in high school that fangs started to seem alluring — with the arrival of the campy daytime soap 'Dark Shadows,' set in Maine and featuring the vampire Barnabas Collins. (Johnny Depp and Tim Burton have discussed an adaptation.)"

Posted through the ShadowGram YahooGroup address: http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShadowGram/

ShadowGram@aol.com

---

Number 220. July 5, 2010

---

Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news in this Online News Update "bulletin."

--- JONATHAN FRID – ANNOUNCEMENTS

--- UPDATING: DS FESTIVAL
SHADOWS IN THE SUN DS CAST REUNION / FAN CONVENTION

--- JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT – NEW MOVIE OPENS JULY 16

--- ROY THINNES APPEARANCE

*** JONATHAN FRID:
NEW DVD
ONSTAGE PRESENTATIONS AT BURBANK DS FESTIVAL

--- Jonathan's (Barnabas) new DVD, "Frid Again," will be offered for the first time at the Burbank Fest July 16-18. "It is made up of all-new dramatic/humorous readings of some familiar works and some new ones, including a new version of Barnabas' recollections of that last night before he was chained in his coffin.

"On Sat., 7-17, Jonathan will screen and comment on some scenes selected by fans, including some scenes Jonathan himself had not seen since they were first done more than 40 years ago. The scenes feature Jonathan with others of the actors, including David Selby, Lara Parker, Jerry Lacy, Marie Wallace, and Kathryn Leigh Scott both as Maggie and as Josette.

"On Sun., 7-18, Jonathan will perform a number of live readings, including a fascinating story about a journey through time."

Following is more updated Fest information.

*** UPDATING: SHADOWS IN THE SUN – 2010 DARK SHADOWS CONVENTION

July 16-18, 2010
Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
2500 Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
818-843-6000

This message repeats some information already premiere-announced in SG Online Update posts to the SG YahooGroup, as well as reported in the current Double SG #117-#118 print issue.

--- MICHAEL BROCKMAN (DS Unit Manager) will not be able to attend. All other announced guests are expected to join us during the weekend.

--- Tickets still are available (quantities limited) for the following special events:

--- Fri., 7-16, 12:30pm: Jonathan Frid's Handprints-in-Cement Ceremony/screening of the 1970 movie "House of Dark Shadows" at the historic Vista Theatre, a few miles from the hotel.

Vista Theatre, 4473 Sunset Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 660-6639.

Advance reservations/payment are required for fans wishing to take buses to/from the hotel and the theater. Theatre admission is $10 (includes 1 popcorn and 1 soft drink); tickets also are available at the theater box office. Bus reservations (an additional $10) must be paid in advance to the Fest postal-mail address (below). Buses depart the hotel at noon.

--- Sun., 7-18: Banquet With the Stars full dinner meal at the hotel at 7:00pm. Advance reservations/payments are required at $50 per person.

Each banquet attendee will receive a commemorative, personalized autographed photo of Jonathan Frid as Barnabas. His autograph will be available only to those attending the banquet. If you are paying for the banquet, your first name will be personalized on the photograph - no exceptions. NO REFUNDS for the banquet for any reason, but if you must cancel, you will be sent your Barnabas photo autographed by Jonathan.

--- SG SPECIAL REMINDER
Please note: FRIDAY, JULY 10 is the deadline when all reservation and advance membership payments MUST be received at the DS Festival postal-mail address (below). You can purchase daily/full-weekend attending memberships at the door at the same rate.

ADMISSION:
Adults: $30.00 for all 3 days or $15.00 for 1 day.
Children 6-12 - Half price.

NOTE: If you have paid for the weekend events, please bring your original receipt to the Fest registration desk, where you will obtain your admission badge and Fest program book. Please wear the badge prominently during the weekend. If you have paid for the banquet, you will also be able to pick up your banquet ticket and your Barnabas photograph personalized by Jonathan Frid. Please wait until the Fest registration desk is less crowded to collect your banquet ticket and photograph.

--- GUESTS & AUTOGRAPHS
Appearing in person: Jonathan Frid, David Selby, Lara Parker, John Karlen, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Jerry Lacy, Marie Wallace, Kathleen Cody, James Storm, Lisa Richards, Roger Davis, Chris Pennock, Robert Cobert, and Sy Tomashoff.

Autographs will be signed during the weekend at tables in the foyer. Jonathan has pre-signed photographs for banquet attendees only and will not be signing any other items.

--- FEST PAYMENTS (must be received by Fri., July 10)

Send payment with 2 SASEs (Stamped Self-Addressed Envelopes). All payments must include a membership form, available from the Fest website. Please include the full name/address for each person for whom you are paying. Please note the Fest does not accept credit card or PayPal.

PLEASE send all payments and related questions directly to the Fest, not to SG.

SEND PAYMENTS & SASEs TO:
Dark Shadows Festival
P.O. Box 92
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Website: darkshadowsfestival.com

*** SG NOTE: The current huge ShadowGram Double issue SG # 117-118 has more details about the Fest plus the latest DS news in detail, exclusive photos, advance information, and more See subscription information at the end of this update.

*** SG NOTE: ShadowGram print issue renewals/new subscriptions and recent SG published newsletters will be available throughout the Fest weekend in the Marketplace/Dealers/Vendors Room in the Convention Center. At our tables also will be handmade jewelry, fan publications, original artwork, photos, and other special DS items.

**** JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT STARS IN NEW THRILLER FILM

JOE's (1991 David, Daniel) stars as "Arthur" in INCEPTION from director Christopher Nolan (DARK KNIGHT), a film opening 7-16 natiownide in 3D and regular formats. Also starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the psychological thriller delves into espionage within people's dreamspace. Recent SG print issues have reported about Joe and the highly-anticipated drama.

Please send SG any articles, interviews, reviews, publicity, or other material about INCEPTION. Send to SG's e- or postal-mail addresses later in this Update.

*** ROY THINNES AT SEPT. CONVENTION

Roy (1991 DS' Roger, Rev. Trask) is expected to guest at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, 9-23/25 at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn in Hunt Valley, MD. Website: http://www.MidAtlanticNostalgiaConvention.com

Roy starred as architect David Vincent in the 1967-68 TV series "The Invaders." He's had numerous soap and stage roles and guested on "The X-Files."

Roy was our DS Festival guest in Los Angeles and NYC in the early `90s. He also participated in the May 8, 1991 fan "protest" outside NBC-TV's main headquarters in Burbank, joined by co-stars Lysette Anthony, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael T. Weiss, and Ely Pouget.

This and similar events at network affiliate offices in over a dozen cities nationwide were held that day. These and a massive fan write-in/phone campaign were coordinated by SG, The World of DS fanzine, Inside the Old House fanzine, and the DS Fest to show public support for the 1991 TV series and save it from cancellation. Unfortunately, NBC did cancel the series despite these efforts.

For photos and more information, see Kathy Resch's "Dark Shadows in the `90s" DS Concordance book. Email: kathleener@aol.com

Marcy Robin
P.O. Box 1766
Temple City, CA 91780-7766

ShadowGram1@yahoo.com

Website: www.ShadowGram.com

Thank you.